Hemophilia Treatment: Hemophilia Treatment Centers
A nationwide network of
hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs), funded by the federal government, is an important resource for families and individuals affected by hemophilia. The medical experts in these centers provide hemophilia treatment, education, and support, and they can teach you or your child how to do home infusions safely. Treatment center staff can also provide information to your doctor at home.
People who get care in these centers are less likely to have bleeding complications. This may be due to the centers' emphasis on prevention of bleeding and the education and support provided to patients and their caregivers.
Hemophilia Treatment: Complications of Replacement Therapy
Complications of hemophilia treatment may include:
- Developing antibodies, which are proteins that knock out the activity of clotting factors.
- Disease transmission, including HIV and hepatitis.
In addition, damage to joints, muscles, or other parts of the body can occur as a result of delays in hemophilia treatment.
Antibodies
Antibodies destroy the clotting factor before it has a chance to work. This is a serious problem because the main treatment for hemophilia -- replacing clotting factors -- is no longer effective.
Antibodies to clotting factors develop in about:
When antibodies develop, doctors may use larger doses of clotting factors or try different sources of the clotting factor. Antibodies may also go away on their own. Researchers continue to study ways to deal with antibodies to clotting factors.
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